Pillow system for use with positive airway pressure systems

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure pertains to a pillow system, in particular a pillow system that surrounds the subject&#39;s head, and moves with the subject. In some embodiments, the pillow system provides sound suppression. In some embodiments used with positive airways pressure (“PAP”) systems, the pillow system includes a tube that delivers breathable gas to a mask.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C.§ 371 of International Application No. PCT/IB2013/056814, filed on Aug.22, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/696,443, filed on Sep. 4, 2012. These applicationsare hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present disclosure pertains to a pillow system that moves with thesubject.

Many people do not get the necessary sleep though because they are lightsleepers, have trouble entering restful sleep, or have other disorderssuch as sleep apnea. Many subjects with sleep apnea wear a mask and usea positive airway pressure system to treat their apnea to alleviate thesymptoms.

With normal pillows, the mask worn by subjects with sleep apnea caneither shift out of place during the night or press uncomfortably on thesubject's face. Some pillows have been developed for subjects with sleepapnea with the goal of overcoming the problems that mask-wearingsubjects encounter with normal pillows. These pillows have contours thataccommodate the shape of the mask so that the subject can rest theirhead on the pillow without discomfort from the mask. If the person movestheir head while sleeping, the mask may still shift out of place or thetubing may become tangled.

Some subjects with masks use a tube management system when they sleep.Tube management systems are typically a hook-like arm positioned besidethe bed that extends over the bed and suspends the mask's tubing abovethe subject.

Accordingly, it is an aspect of one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure to provide a pillow system configured to engage the back andsides of a subject's head, the pillow system including: cushioningmaterial configured to engage the back and sides of the subject's headresponsive to the head of the subject being in place on the pillowsystem; a resilient frame configured to surround the back and sides of asubject's head to hold the cushioning material in place on the subject'shead. The frame includes a first portion having a first inner side and afirst outer side, the first portion being configured to hold thecushioning material in place on a first side of the subject's headresponsive to the subject's head being in place on the pillow system; asecond portion having a second inner side and a second outer side, thesecond portion being configured to hold the cushioning material in placeon a second side of the subject's head responsive to the subject's headbeing in place on the pillow system; an adjustable portion at a locationproximate to the back of the subject's head that connects the firstportion and the second portion, the adjustable portion providingadjustment to move to and retain spacing between the first portion andthe second portion to accommodate differences in distances between thefirst side of the head and the second side of the head for differentsubjects; and a tube adapted to deliver breathable gas to a mask,wherein the tube is attached to the first inner side, the first outerside, the second inner side, or the second inner side. In someembodiments, there is also a movable connection constructed and arrangedto be connected to the tube that delivers breathable gas, the movableconnection being located on the frame proximate to the crown of thesubject's head responsive to the subject's head being in place on thepillow system. In some embodiments, the movable connection is a swivel.

The tube may be used to connect a subject's mask to a positive airwaypressure system. In some embodiments, the tube is connected to apass-through channel located between the cushioning and the first orsecond outer side of the frame.

In some embodiments, the pillow system also has a microphone. Themicrophone can be used for sound input generally, and can also be usedwhen paired with one or more processors that execute a snoring detectionmodule. The snoring detection module detects whether or not the subjectis snoring based on signals generated by the microphone. In someinstances, the pillow system also has an alarm clock. In theseembodiments, the processors also execute an output module that activatesthe alarm clock if the snoring detection module determines that thesubject is snoring. When activated, the alarm clock may make noiseand/or vibrate. In some embodiments, the alarm clock, snoring detectionmodule, processors, and/or microphone are incorporated into one housing.

It is yet another aspect of one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure to provide a method used in a pillow system. The pillowsystem in one embodiment includes a cushioning material, a tubeconnected to a movable connection, and a resilient frame with a firstportion and a second portion. The method involves engaging, by thecushioning material, the back and sides of a subject's head responsiveto the head of the subject being in place on the pillow system. Themethod also involves surrounding, by the resilient frame, the back andsides of the subject's head and holding the cushioning material in placeon the subject's head and moving the tube about the movable connectionin response to motion of the subject's head.

In some embodiments, the method also includes adjustably connecting thefirst portion and second portion, thereby providing adjustment toaccommodate differences in distances between the first side of the headand the second side of the head for different subjects.

In some embodiments, the method also includes slidably connecting thefirst portion and second portion via springs to bias the first portiontoward the second portion, thereby providing adjustment to accommodatedifferences in distances between the first side of the head and thesecond side of the head for different subjects.

The method in some instances also involves providing a sound absorbinggel within a first ear cup supported by the first portion and/or thecushioning material adjacent the first portion and within a second earcup supported by the second portion and/or the cushioning materialadjacent the second portion. Alternatively or additionally, the methodcan include providing active noise cancellation via a first speakerlocated within the first ear cup supported by the first portion and/orthe cushioning material adjacent the first portion and via a secondspeaker located within the second ear cup supported by the secondportion and/or the cushioning material adjacent the second portion. Themethod may also involve activating an alarm clock to make noise orvibrate, the alarm clock being housed within the cushioning material.

It is yet another aspect of one or more embodiments to provide a meansfor providing a pillow system. The means include cushioning means forengaging the back and sides of a subject's head responsive to the headof the subject being in place on the pillow system. There are alsosurrounding means for surrounding the back and sides of the subject'shead and holding the cushioning means in place on the subject's head.There are also moveable connection means for moving a tube about themoveable connection means in response to motion of the subject's head.

In some embodiments, there are also means for adjustably connecting thefirst portion and second portion, thereby providing adjustment toaccommodate differences in distances between the first side of the headand the second side of the head for different subjects.

In some embodiments, there are also means for slidably connecting afirst portion of the surrounding means and a second portion of thesurrounding means to bias the first portion toward the second portion,thereby providing adjustment to accommodate differences in distancesbetween the first side of the head and the second side of the head fordifferent subjects.

In some instances, there are also means for providing noise cancellationwithin a first ear cup supported by a first portion of the surroundingmeans and/or the cushioning means adjacent the first portion and withina second ear cup supported by a second portion of the surrounding meansand/or the cushioning means adjacent the second portion.

There are, in some cases, means for providing active noise cancellationwithin a first ear cup supported by a first portion of the surroundingmeans and/or the cushioning means adjacent a first portion of thesurrounding means and within a second ear cup supported by a secondportion of the surrounding means and/or the cushioning means adjacentthe second portion. There are, in some embodiments, also means foractivating an alarm clock to make noise or vibrate, the alarm clockhoused within the cushioning means.

These and other aspects, features, and characteristics of the presentdisclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of therelated elements of structure and the combination of parts and economiesof manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a frame used in a pillowsystem;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a frame used in one embodiment of the pillowsystem to be used with a positive airway pressure system;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary view of a pillow system complete withcushioning;

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary view of a subject's head in place on pillowsystem;

FIG. 5 illustrates an internal view of cushioning material;

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the pillow system and tubingwhen the subject connects his mask to a PAP system using the pillowsystem;

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the pillow system and tubingwhen the subject has rolled onto his side;

FIG. 8 depicts a method used in a pillow system that includes acushioning material, a resilient frame, a first ear cup and a second earcup; and

FIG. 9 depicts a method used in a pillow system that includes acushioning material, a tube connected to a moveable connection, and aresilient frame with a first portion and a second portion.

As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As usedherein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled”shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directlyor indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts orcomponents, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled”means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. As usedherein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components arecoupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientationrelative to each other.

As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as asingle piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that arecreated separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a“unitary” component or body. As employed herein, the statement that twoor more parts or components “engage” one another shall mean that theparts exert a force against one another either directly or through oneor more intermediate parts or components. As employed herein, the term“number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., aplurality).

Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and withoutlimitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, andderivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown inthe drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expresslyrecited therein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a frame 5 used in a pillowsystem 40. In one embodiment, frame 5 is composed of two portions, aportion 10 for the back and left of the subject's head and a portion 15for the back and right of the subject's head. Portions 10, 15 of frame5, in some embodiments, are made from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) material.In some embodiments, portion 10, 15 of frame 5 can be made from otherplastic materials, e.g., PET, Nylon, or fiber glass, carbon fiber andepoxy. In some embodiments, e.g., depicted in FIG. 1, portions 10, 15are perforated and have holes throughout. This reduces the weight offrame 5.

In one embodiment, the materials that make up portions 10, 15 of frame 5are substantially resilient and rigid. In this embodiment, the verticalparts of portions 10, 15 do not substantially flex if force is applied,e.g., when a subject's head is placed into pillow system 40, the sidesof the subject's head push against portions 10, 15. When force isapplied, the vertical parts of portions 10, 15 maintain their verticalorientation and the U-shape of frame 5 is maintained because instead offlexing, vertical parts of portions 10, 15 exert a force againstadjusting portion 20, causing the bottom of the U-shape of the frame towiden.

In another embodiment, portions 10, 15 are generally resilient, but havesome flexibility. In this embodiment, the vertical parts of portions 10,15 flex slightly if force is applied so as not to be uncomfortable forthe subject when his head is inserted into the pillow system 40.However, the U-shape of frame 5 is generally maintained because verticalparts of portions 10, 15 are generally resilient and exert a forceagainst adjusting portion 20, causing the bottom of the U-shape of theframe to widen.

In some embodiments, the portions 10, 15 are somewhat resilient, but aregenerally flexible. In this embodiment, the vertical parts of portions10, 15 flex significantly if force is applied so as not to beuncomfortable for the subject when his head is inserted into the pillowsystem 40 (as shown in FIG. 4). The U-shape of frame 5 is somewhatmaintained because vertical parts of portions 10, 15 are somewhatresilient and exert a force against adjusting portion 20, causing thebottom of the U-shape of the frame to slightly widen.

In some embodiments, when the force is removed, e.g., the subject's headis removed from the pillow system 40, portions 10, 15 stop exertingforce against adjusting portion 20 and are biased back together. In someembodiments, to the extent the vertical parts of portions 10, 15 flexed,the vertical parts of portions 10, 15 return to their vertical position.In some embodiments though, once adjusting portion 20 is adjusted, itmaintains its adjustment and portions 10, 15 are not biased backtogether.

With respect to the subject's head, typically the frame extends fromapproximately the top of the subject's head to just below the chin. Anembodiment of a pillow system incorporating frame 5 is depicted in FIG.4.

As shown in FIG. 1, there is an opening 17 between portions 10, 15, forthe subject to insert his head. Portions 10, 15 are connected by anadjustable portion 20. In some embodiments, connecter 20 slidablyconnects portions 10, 15 at a position that corresponds to the back 39of the user's head. In some cases, adjustable portion 20 is a series,e.g., a set of three, of springs. When the subject's head is placed intoa pillow system that incorporates frame 5, portions 10, 15 are pushedapart by the sides of the subject's head. In one embodiment, adjustableportion 20 biases portion 10 and portion 15 together in response,thereby creating a snug fit between the subject's head and the pillowsystem. Alternatively or additionally, adjustable portion 20 canoptionally include a ball catch system. In embodiments described abovewhere portion 10, 15 are perforated, the catch of the ball catch systemcan be the perforation holes. Other mechanisms for connecting and/oradjusting frame 5 are contemplated. In another embodiment, adjustableportion 20 is an integral and bendable material that maintains its shapeonce it is adjusted. As a result, portions 10, 15 remain at a generallyfixed distance apart until adjustable portion 20 is adjusted again. Inthose embodiments, adjustable portion may be made of a malleable metalor plastic.

In some embodiments, an alarm clock 25 may be attached to frame 5, e.g.,via a clip (as shown in FIG. 1), bolts or screws. Although alarm clock25 is depicted as attached to portion 10, it can be attached to portion15 or elsewhere on frame 5 or within the pillow system cushioningmaterial. Alarm clock 25 can make noise and/or vibrate. In someembodiments, the alarm clock 25 housing includes a processor whichexecutes a snoring detection module, and/or includes a microphone. Inother embodiments, the alarm clock may be in wired or wirelesscommunication with a snoring detection module that is executing on aprocessor located outside the alarm clock 25 but still in the pillow. Inother embodiments the snoring detection module may be located outsidepillow 40 system.

FIG. 2A illustrates a frame used in one embodiment of the pillow systemto be used with a positive airway pressure system. Frame 5 in FIG. 2 issimilar to that in FIG. 1 with portions 10, 15 to surround the subject'shead. In FIG. 2 though frame 5 also incorporates a tube 30 connected toa movable connection 35. The end of tube 30 that is not connected tomovable connection 35 connects to a mask (e.g., mask 34 at juncture 33as shown in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, movable connection 35 is aswivel. In other implementations movable connection 35 may providemovement of the connection about three dimensions, e.g., movableconnection 35 may be or have a ball connector. In other embodiments,movable connection provides more degrees of freedom of movement, e.g.,four degrees of freedom, five degrees of freedom, or six degrees offreedom. In some embodiments, (as shown in FIG. 2B) moveable connection35 connects to a PAP system 36 and allows the subject's head to moveside to side without disrupting the PAP system or any tubing 38 betweenthe PAP system and movable connection 35.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, moveable connection 35may be attached to frame 5 on one side at approximately where portions10, 15 meet. In some embodiments, movable connection 35 is locatedapproximately in a plane with the subject's head around the crown areasuch that movement of the subject's head about an axis causes themoveable connection to move about the axis as well. In some embodiments,movable connection 35 has two openings 31, 32. One opening 31 provides amale or female connection to tubing 38 that is connected to a PAP system36 (as shown in FIG. 2B). The other opening 32 provides a male or femaleconnection to tubing 30. Tubing 30 is secured to portion 10 (or 15),typically on the inside face of the portion. Alternatively, tubing 30may be secured to the outside face of portion 10 or 15. From connection32, in some embodiments, tubing 30 runs along the horizontal edge ofportion 10 (or 15), runs up the vertical side, and runs along thedepth-wise edge of portion 10 (or 15). Although in some embodiments,tubing 30 also runs down the opposite vertical side of portion 10 (or15), in some embodiments, tubing 30 does not. Tube 30 can be connectedto the frame directly e.g., by a tie, or it can be inserted in apass-through channel 80 between the cushioning 45, 50 and a portion 10,15, of frame 5 (as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7).

In some embodiments, tube 30 is a modular hose system such as thatprovided by Loc-Line® (not shown). In these embodiments, the modulartube 30 runs along the same path as tubing 30 with respect to portions10 or 15, i.e., can run inside the frame or can run outside the frame,surrounded by cushioning 45, 50 respectively in either case. If amodular tube system is used then the hose itself provides joints atregular intervals and the hose locks into place at each joint, therebyproviding tension for keeping the mask 34 engaged with the subject'sface, such that the mask's elastic bands can therefore be loosened oromitted altogether.

FIG. 2B illustrates frame 5 of FIG. 2A with an outline of a subject'shead for reference. As shown in FIG. 2B, portion 10 is adjacent to theleft side of the subject's head. Portion 15 is adjacent to the rightside of the subject's head. Movable connection 35 is proximate to thecrown of the subject's head and adjustable portion 20 is locatedproximate to the back 39 of the subject's head and connects portion 10and portion 15. FIG. 2B also demonstrates a PAP system 36 connected tomovable connection 35, typically by a tube 38 adapted for deliveringbreathable gas.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary view of pillow system 40 complete withcushioning. Cushioning material 45 is held in place on the left side ofthe subject's head by frame portion 10 (hidden by cushioning material45) responsive to the subject's head being in place on pillow system 40.Cushioning material 50 is held in place on the right side of thesubject's head by frame portion 15 (hidden by cushioning material 50)responsive to the subject's head being in place on pillow system 40.Cushioning material 55 provides support for the back of the subject'shead and covers where portions 10, 15 overlap and/or are joined byadjustable portion 20.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary view of a subject's head in place on pillowsystem 40.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exposed view of cushioning material 45, 50, 55.Cushioning material 45 includes an ear cup 60. Ear cup 60 is supportedby portion 10 and/or cushioning material 45 adjacent to portion 10 at aposition such that, responsive to the subject's head being in place onthe pillow system 40, ear cup 60 surrounds the subject's ear on the leftside of the subject's head. Similarly, cushioning material 50 includesan ear cup 65. Ear cup 65 is supported by portion 15 and/or cushioningmaterial 50 adjacent to portion 15 at a position such that, responsiveto the subject's head being in place on the pillow system 40, ear cup 65surrounds the subject's ear on the right side of the subject's head. Asjust described, in some embodiments, ear cups 60, 65 may be supported byportions 10, 15, of frame 5 and cushioning material 45, 50 together. Insome embodiments though, ear cups 60, 65 may be attached to frame 5 withthe cushioning material just surrounding them. In still otherembodiments, ear cups 60, 65 are not attached to frame 5, and insteadare supported by just cushioning material 45, 50.

In some embodiments, ear cups 60, 65 include or are made from soundabsorbing gels. The sound absorbing gels provide sound suppression toensure that external sounds do not rouse the subject from sleeping.Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, ear cups 60, 65 eachhouse a speaker (not shown). The speakers can provide active noisecancellation, e.g., anti-phase sound wave production, or can beconnected to a sound producing device such as a radio or audio/musicdevice, e.g., an MP3 player.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary implementation of pillow system 40 andtubing 30 when the subject connects his mask 34 to a PAP system usingthe pillow system. As shown in FIG. 6, tube 30 is secured to portion 10and cushioning 45 such that, when the subject rolls onto his side (asshown in FIG. 7) tube 30 moves with the subject's head. Because tube 30is connected to frame 5, when the subject moves his head to the right,pillow system 40 and tubing 30 maintain their orientations with respectto his head, i.e., cushioning 45 (surrounding portion 10) remainsengaged to the left of the subject's head, cushioning 55 (surroundingparts of portions 10 and 15) remains engaged to the back of thesubject's head and cushioning 50 (surrounding portion 15) remainsengaged to the right of the subject's head. Tubing 30 remains in contactwith cushioning 45 and moves with pillow system 40. As shown in FIG. 7,because tubing 30 is secured by portion 10 and cushioning 45, when thesubject rolls right, tubing 30 rolls with him. And because tubing 30connects to movable connection 35 at a point 37 near the crown of thesubject's head, tubing 30 does not roll in front of subject's face, noris the PAP mask 34 pulled away from the subject by the subject'smovement. Thus, even though the subject may move during the night, thePAP mask 34 and tubing 30 remain secure, ensuring a better sleep for thesubject. As described above, tube 30 can be connected to frame 5 or itcan be fed through a pass-through channel 80 on either side of thepillow system, between cushioning 45, 50 and frame 5.

In some embodiments the mask 34 is sold with the pillow system 40,moveable connection 35, and tube 30. In other embodiments, the pillowsystem is sold with moveable connection 35 and tube 30, but does notinclude the mask 34. In still other embodiments, pillow system 40 issold with moveable connection 35, but not tube 30 or mask 34. In stillother embodiments, pillow system 40 is sold with mask 34, tube 30, ormoveable connection 35.

In some embodiments (not shown), the mask is fixed to the pillowsystem's frame using a solid hinge. The mask is able to rotate from anopen position, allowing the subject to place his head in the pillowsystem, to a locked position where the mask is over the subject's face(though not necessarily engaged). In some of these embodiments,cushioning material 45, 50, 55 is air, and the pillow system is inflatedby the subject via a valve or pump. When the mask is in the lockedposition, it remains at a generally fixed location. When the subjectincreases the amount of air present in the pillow system, the pillowsystem becomes tighter and more supportive of the subject's head. Asthis happens, the subject's head engages the mask and the subject canuse the mask without the use of headgear.

FIG. 8 depicts a method 85 used in a pillow system that includes acushioning material, a resilient frame, a first ear cup and a second earcup. The method 85 begins by engaging the sides and back the subject'shead using cushioning material responsive to the subject's being inplace on the pillow system at operation 90. A resilient frame thensurrounds the back and sides of the subject's head, and holds thecushioning material in place on the subject's head responsive to thesubject's head being in place on the pillow system at operation 95. Whenthe subject's head is placed on the pillow system, an ear cup surroundsone of the subject's ears and another ear cup surrounds at operation thesubject's other ear at operations 100, 105. The ear cups provide soundsuppression as described herein. The frame can be adjusted toaccommodate differences in distances between the first side of the headand the second side of the head for different subjects. The method alsoincludes, in some instances, providing active noise cancellation viaspeakers housed in each of the ear cups. Additionally or alternatively,sound can be output via speakers housed in each of the ear cups. Thisusually involves putting each speaker in signal communication with asound producing device such as a radio or audio/music device, e.g., anMP3 player.

In some embodiments, there is a snoring detection system. The snoringdetection system executed on one or more processors, and can detect thatthe subject is snoring, e.g., by receiving sound input via a microphoneand determining that sounds received are above a certain volumethreshold. If the subject is determined to be snoring, alarm clock 25can be activated in response to raise the subject to a less-deep sleepstage.

FIG. 9 depicts a method 110 used in a pillow system that includes acushioning material, a tube connected to a movable connection, and aresilient frame with a first portion and a second portion. The method110 begins by engaging the sides and back the subject's head usingcushioning material, responsive to the subject's being in place on thepillow system at operation 115. A resilient frame then surrounds theback and sides of the subject's head, and holds the cushioning materialin place on the subject's head responsive to the subject's head being inplace on the pillow system at operation 120. A tube is then moved atoperation 125 in response to any movement of the subject's head.

In some embodiments, the method also includes slidably connecting thefirst portion and second portions of the frame via springs to bias thefirst portion toward the second portion. This provides adjustment toaccommodate differences in distances between the first side of the headand the second side of the head for different subjects.

In some scenarios, the method also includes providing a sound absorbinggel within ear cups supported by the first and second portions of theframe and/or the cushioning material. Additionally or alternatively, themethod can include providing active noise cancellation via speakerslocated within each of the ear cups. And, in some cases, an alarm clockhoused within the cushioning material is activated, either as programmedby the subject or in response to a snore detecting module detecting thatthe subject is snoring.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall notbe construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including”does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than thoselisted in a claim. In a device claim enumerating several means, severalof these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. Theword “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of aplurality of such elements. In any device claim enumerating severalmeans, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same itemof hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutuallydifferent dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannotbe used in combination.

Although the disclosure has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pillow system configured to engage theback and sides of a subject's head, the pillow system comprising: acushioning material configured to engage the back and sides of thesubject's head responsive to the head of the subject being in place onthe pillow system; a resilient frame configured to surround the back andsides of the subject's head to hold the cushioning material in place onthe subject's head, the frame comprising: a first portion having a firstinner side and a first outer side, the first portion being configured tohold the cushioning material in place on a first side of the subject'shead responsive to the subject's head being in place on the pillowsystem; a second portion having a second inner side and a second outerside, the second portion being configured to hold the cushioningmaterial in place on a second side of the subject's head responsive tothe subject's head being in place on the pillow system; an adjustableportion at a location proximate to the back of the subject's head thatconnects the first portion and the second portion, the adjustableportion providing adjustment to move to and retain spacing between thefirst portion and the second portion to accommodate differences indistances between the first side of the head and the second side of thehead for different subjects; and a tube adapted to deliver breathablegas to a mask, wherein the tube is attached to the first inner side, thefirst outer side, the second inner side, or the second outer side. 2.The pillow system of claim 1 further comprising a microphone.
 3. Thepillow system of claim 2 further comprising one or more processorsconfigured to execute a snoring detection module that detects whether ornot the subject is snoring based on signals generated by the microphone.4. The pillow system of claim 3 further comprising an alarm clock, andwherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute anoutput module that is configured activate the alarm clock responsive toa determination by the snoring detection module that the subject issnoring.
 5. The pillow system of claim 1 further comprising a movableconnection constructed and arranged to be connected to the tube thatdelivers breathable gas, the movable connection being located on theframe proximate to the crown of the subject's head responsive to thesubject's head being in place on the pillow system.
 6. The pillow systemof claim 1 wherein the tube is connected to a pass-through channellocated on the first or second outer side.
 7. The pillow system of claim1 wherein the movable connection is a swivel.
 8. The pillow system ofclaim 1, wherein the adjustable portion comprises one or more of a setof one or more springs, wherein the first portion and second portion arepushed apart by the sides of the subject's head; a ball catch system,wherein perforation holes in the first portion and the second portionare the catch of the ball catch system; and/or a bendable material thatresiliently maintains shape if adjusted.
 9. A pillow system configuredto engage the back and sides of a subject's head, the system comprising:cushioning means for engaging the back and sides of a subject's headresponsive to the head of the subject being in place on the pillowsystem; surrounding means for surrounding the back and sides of thesubject's head and holding the cushioning means in place on thesubject's head responsive to the head of the subject being in place onthe pillow system, the surrounding means comprising: first holding meansfor holding the cushioning means in place on a first side of thesubject's head responsive to the subject's head being in place on thepillow system, the first holding means having a first inner side and afirst outer side; second holding means for holding the cushioning meansin place on a second side of the subject's head responsive to thesubject's head being in place on the pillow system, the second holdingmeans having a second inner side and a second outer side; adjustableconnecting means for adjustably connecting the first holding means andthe second holding means to move and retain spacing between the firstholding means and the second holding means, wherein differences indistances between the first side of the head and the second side of thehead for different subjects are accommodated; and movable connectionmeans for moving a tube about the moveable connection means in responseto motion of the subject's head, the tube being attached to the firstinner side, the first outer side, the second inner side, or the secondouter side.
 10. The pillow system of claim 9, wherein the adjustableconnecting means are for slidably connecting the first holding means ofthe surrounding means and the second holding means of the surroundingmeans to bias the first portion toward the second portion, whereindifferences in distances between the first side of the head and thesecond side of the head for different subjects are accommodated.
 11. Thepillow system of claim 9, further comprising means for providing noisecancellation within a first ear cup supported by a first portion of thesurrounding means and/or the cushioning means adjacent the first portionand within a second ear cup supported by a second portion of thesurrounding means and/or the cushioning means adjacent the secondportion.
 12. The pillow system of claim 9, further comprising means forproviding active noise cancellation within a first ear cup supported bya first portion of the surrounding means and/or the cushioning meansadjacent a first portion of the surrounding means and within a secondear cup supported by a second portion of the surrounding means and/orthe cushioning means adjacent the second portion.
 13. The pillow systemof claim 9, further comprising means for activating an alarm meanshoused within the cushioning means.
 14. The pillow system of claim 9,wherein the adjustable connecting means biases the first portion towardthe second portion, thereby providing adjustment to accommodatedifferences in distances between the first side of the head and thesecond side of the head for different subjects.
 15. The pillow system ofclaim 9, wherein the adjustable connecting means comprises one or moreof a set of one or more springs, wherein the first portion and secondportion are pushed apart by the sides of the subject's head; a ballcatch system, wherein perforation holes in the first portion and thesecond portion are the catch of the ball catch system; and/or a bendablematerial that resiliently maintains shape if adjusted.
 16. A method forengaging the back and sides of a subject's head, with a pillow systemthat includes a cushioning material, a tube connected to a movableconnection and a resilient frame having a first portion, and a secondportion connected by an adjustable portion, the first portion of theresilient frame having a first inner side and a first outer side, thesecond portion of the resilient frame having a second inner side and asecond outer side the method comprising: engaging, by the cushioningmaterial, the back and sides of a subject's head responsive to the headof the subject being in place on the pillow system; surrounding, by theresilient frame, the back and sides of the subject's head and holdingthe cushioning material in place on the subject's head responsive to thehead of the subject being in place on the pillow system, whereinsurrounding the back and sides of the subject's head includes: holding,by the first portion of the resilient frame, the cushioning material inplace on a first side of the subject's head responsive to the head ofthe subject being in place on the pillow system; and holding, by thesecond portion of the resilient frame, the cushioning material in placeon a second side of the subject's head responsive to the subject's headbeing in place on the pillow system; facilitating adjustment, by theadjustable portion, of the connection between the first portion andsecond portion to move to and retain spacing between the first portionand the second portion, wherein the adjustment accommodates differencesin distances between the first side of the head and the second side ofthe head for different subjects; and moving the tube about the moveableconnection in response to motion of the subject's head, wherein the tubeis adapted to deliver breathable gas to a mask, and wherein the tube isattached to the first inner side, the first outer side, the second innerside, or the second outer side.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising providing a sound absorbing gel within a first ear cupsupported by the first portion and/or the cushioning material adjacentthe first portion and within a second ear cup supported by the secondportion and/or the cushioning material adjacent the second portion. 18.The method of claim 16, further comprising providing active noisecancellation via a first speaker located within a first ear cupsupported by the first portion and/or the cushioning material adjacentthe first portion and via a second speaker located within a second earcup supported by the second portion and/or the cushioning materialadjacent the second portion.
 19. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising activating an alarm clock housed within the cushioningmaterial.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the adjustable portioncomprises one or more of a set of one or more springs, wherein the firstportion and second portion are pushed apart by the sides of thesubject's head; a ball catch system, wherein perforation holes in thefirst portion and the second portion are the catch of the ball catchsystem; and/or a bendable material that resiliently maintains shape ifadjusted.